Centre releases new discharge policy for Covid-19 patients

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released revised guidelines for categorisation of COVID-19 patients based on clinical severity.

1. For very mild/mild/ pre-symptomatic cases

Mild/very mild/pre-symptomatic Covid-19 cases should be admitted to a Covid-19 care facility. They are expected to be under temperature and pulse oximetry monitoring. The patient can be discharged after 10 days of onset of symptoms and after fever fails to occur for 3 days. There will be no need for testing prior to discharge. At the time of discharge, the patient will be advised to follow home isolation for 7 more days. These patients will have to seek medical attention if:

b) Persistent pain/pressure in the chest

c) Mental confusion or inability to arouse

d) Developing bluish discoloration on lips/face

In case, the patient’s oxygen saturation dips below 95 per cent, he/she should be moved to a Dedicated Covid Health Centre (DCHC).

2. Moderate cases admitted to dedicated Covid healthcare centres

Cases clinically classified as “moderate cases” will undergo monitoring of body temperature and oxygen saturation. If the fever is resolved within 3 days and the patient maintains saturation above 95% for the next 4 days (without oxygen support), such patients will be discharged after 10 days of onset of symptoms in case of

a) Absence of fever without antipyretics

b) Resolution of breathlessness

c) No oxygen requirement

Such persons will require home isolation for 7 days. In case of the “moderate” patients whose symptoms are not resolved after 3 days, they will be discharged only after resolution of clinical symptoms.

3. Severe Covid-19 cases

In case of severe Covid-19 cases, discharge criteria will be based on

a. Clinical recovery

b. Patient tested negative once by RT-PCR (after resolution of symptoms)